2023 Top Ten(ish)
Gigs
The Smart Folk/ The Golden Rail/ The Autumn Hearts, Marrickville Bowling Club, NSW. A bittersweet occasion for me as a member of The Smart Folk but it was a great night thanks to the stellar support of The Golden Rail and The Autumn Hearts.
The Apartments/Halfway - The Great Club, Marrickville, NSW.
Raising Ravens/DOWNGIRL/Gaia Rising: Marrickville Bowling Club, NSW.
The On and Ons/ Penny Ikinger Band: George Lane, St Kilda. Great venue, great bands, great company.
The Silversound - Brunswick Ballroom, VIC: Mind blown, album immediately purchased.
Snarski Circus Lindy Band - The Great Club
Jo Meares’ Silver Bullets - The Gasoline Pony, Marrickville, NSW: Jo brought his Melbourne combo with him and wow, did they deliver.
Dane Blacklock and the Preacher’s Daughter: The Duke Hotel, Enmore, NSW: Satanicabaret!
Sunnyboys’ final show - Enmore Theatre, NSW: An emotional night, those songs, that sound!
The Cruel Sea/ The Wraylettes - Enmore Theatre, NSW: Wow. What a return this was! The Wraylettes were great fun too.
Honourable mentions
Great sets by The Loud Hailers, The Maggie Pills, Datura4 (supporting a band not worthy of them), Those Pretty Wrongs (seeing Jody play drums on Big Star songs!), Dave Graney and The Coral Snakes.
Albums
Two highly recommended
The Silversound debut - Psychedelic, great grooves, guitar wig outs….seems to have flown under the critics’ radar. BUY IT.
Travels and Travails - Penny Ikinger
